INVERELL racing cyclist Peter Horwood’s impressive Tour de Tahiti has earned him a permanent spot on the Tamworth-based Baiocchi Griffin Private Wealth Cycling which could deliver “home town success” in next month’s iconic Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic.
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Horwood was a “guest” rider for a Tamworth team where teammate Mitch Carrington won.
Horwood’s appointment builds the team to nine riders and the Tour de Tahiti Green Jersey (sprint competition) success caps off a host of victories for the team since launching in 2013.
Earlier this year Horwood was invited by manager Ray Griffin to race with the team in Tahiti to replace a rider who had university exam commitments.
“Peter was an obvious choice to guest ride for us in Tahiti.” Griffin said.
“He’s very strong and after a lifetime on two wheels knows his way around a bike especially in hectic bunch finishes.”
“We needed someone who could help with chasing down breakaways as well as working on the front of the peloton when we needed to lift the pace.” he added.
A member of the Inverell Cycle Club, Horwood is also a highly accomplished motorcyclist having previously won the Australian Classic Motor Cross Championship along with numerous motocross podiums across Australia and the USA. And he is an accomplished mountain biker and will boost the team’s strengths in the genre having previously won a 6 -hour race in North Carolina along with the Copeton Dam 6 hour race as part of a two- man team .
“Peter will really build our mountain bike racing strengths and his versatility really shines when we get off road with our racing.” Griffin said.
“I was thrilled to get the invite to race with the team in Tahiti,” Horwood said.
“And then when Ray invited me to join the team permanently minutes after finishing the tour I didn’t hesitate to say ‘yes’,” he added.
“It was great to be part of the team and to win the Green Jersey through Mitch Carrington was just fantastic.”
Horwood’s next race with Baiocchi Griffin Private Wealth Cycling will be the Australian Masters Road Championships to be held at Murwillimbah this weekend. He will then race the Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic on October 25.
The team already has an Inverell connection with Griffin having been born and raised there.
“It’s great to be able to recruit a cyclist from the town where I grew up.” he said.